Glaucoma: what every patient should know. Part 4. How should I change my life? What does low vision treatment have to offer?

Abstract

Being diagnosed with glaucoma tends to permanently change one's daily activities, but it is important for every patient to realize that glaucoma can be managed and generally kept from changing his life. The first part of the article explains what everyday personal habits - such as aerobic exercise - might be useful for glaucoma patients, which of them to avoid (Valsalva maneuver, weight lifting etc.) and which have no effect on glaucoma whatsoever (diet, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, reading and watching TV). The second part of the article focuses on the importance of low vision rehabilitation services and understanding what treatments, practical aids, technology and training it has to offer. One of the two main options of the low vision rehabilitation is using special equipment to improve visual function, choice and variety of which is vast (lenses, special filters, cell phone technology, magnifiers with LED lights, video magnification, software, etc). Alternative approach is using adaptive strategies and techniques and “low-tech" solutions. The author also reminds that psychological counseling and treatment may be in question in some cases, since glaucoma patients with substantial vision loss are prone to depression. The difference in life with glaucoma is often one's ability to adapt, and incorporating devices and adaptive strategies in to daily life might help with that.